GREAT-grandmother Betty Stafford celebrated her 100th birthday in style this week.

Betty toasted the happy occasion at a special lunch with her family at St Ronan’s Care Home in Innerleithen on Monday, where she also received a card from Her Majesty The Queen.

Betty told us: “I was quite honoured to receive a card from the Queen, and thankful I’ve reached the age I am.”

Born in St Boswells in 1918, Betty went to Earlston Primary School before working in Galashiels, first at the town’s Post Office, before moving to a Civil Service post in the town.

After that, Betty ran the retail department of a dairy farm in Earlston from the early 1950s for around 40 years before retiring. She lived in the Peeblesshire village of Skirling for 12 years until last year.

Betty has a daughter, Marlene Davis, two grandchildren, Gavin (32) and Roderick Davis (34), plus three great-grandchildren who live in Oban.

Care home worker Julie Cleghorn added: “Betty started coming to us in the short breaks unit more than five years ago when her family went on holiday.

“In February last year, she moved into permanent care here at St Ronan’s. She is a very fiercely independent lady, who still manages her day-to-day needs with minimum care and support from staff. 

“She is very sociable, enjoys the music events, and television in the evening. Betty also enjoys her weekly paper, the Peeblesshire News, and likes to keep on top of what is going on in her local community.

“She is a very gentle lady, who will come along to any of the events which are going on within the home, including a visit from the therapy ponies which she enjoyed last year.”